FreeNAS on Dell PowerVault MD1200

[Fred974]

Hi,

Could anyone please tell me if it is possible to install FreeNAS on Dell PowerVault MD1200?
All I found on google let me bellievethat the answer is no but I tough that i'll ask.


Thank you inadvance.

 

[MatthewSteinhoff]

No. Pretty sure the MD1200 is just a storage enclosure. It does look as though it could attach to a FreeNAS server but it is not a server in and of itself.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Nick2253]

Matt is correct. The MD1200 is just a drive shelf. However, you can configure a small FreeNAS server with an appropriate HBA with external SAS connector, and connect into the MD1200. That would save you the cost of buying a large case, or if you already have a FreeNAS system, would give you an easy way of expanding the storage without needing to upgrade your case.

 

[Fred974]

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for your replies.
How would it work if I conenect the MD1200 to a FreeNAS server as FreeNAS is runing ZFS and the MD1200 isn't

 

[Randall_64]

Hi Fred974,
I've used about the same config for years. A PowerEdge server connected with two MD PowerVaults. The MD's were connected with there SAS cable to the SAS controller at the PE server. Our PE server just had two disk in mirror for FreeNAS. When running the PERC controller software at the PE you simply configure the MD's as disks for FreeNAS. Storage at the volumes and/or datasets will be automatically ZFS.

 

[Fred974]

@Randall_64 thank you very much for your inside knowledge.
So do need to set the PowerVault via Openmanage prior and set the specific config?

 

[Randall_64]

Hi Fred974,
Did not need Openmanage. I hit F11 for boot options to choose USB for FreeNAS installation.
For configuring the MD's, when booting the server hit Ctrl+r for configuration at the Perc controller. Supposed FreeNAS is configured allready, it will recognise the new disk(s) after next boot. At FreeNAS you can even combine multiple disks from the Perc controller to one volume (if you want).

 

[Nick2253]

Your end goal is for the MD1200 to present all the drives directly to the FreeNAS server, so the FreeNAS server can manage the storage. Depending on the controller in the MD1200, you may have to flash it into IT mode so it can present the drives directly.

 

[Randall_64]

Hi Fred974,
Just a last hint: for config of the Vdisk at in the Perc controller, please select ‘write through’ setting. It will allow FreeNAS write directly to the Vdisk. FreeNAS is a fan of direct access to its disks

 

[Fred974]

Hi Fred974,
Just a last hint: for config of the Vdisk at in the Perc controller, please select ‘write through’ setting. It will allow FreeNAS write directly to the Vdisk. FreeNAS is a fan of direct access to its disks

Hi,
I'm still working out if I'm better buying a 2U server or using my R610 connected to MD1200... If using the MD1200, which is better for card? Perc H200 or perc H800

Thank you

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[HoneyBadger]

Hi,
I'm still working out if I'm better buying a 2U server or using my R610 connected to MD1200... If using the MD1200, which is better for card? Perc H200 or perc H800

Thank you

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

H200e only, and you should reflash to LSI IT firmware. Do not use a RAID card with ZFS, and disregard any of the earlier information about "RAID BIOS" and "vDisks"

 

[Fred974]

I got it down to this:
PowerEdge R610 + PowerVault MD1200 + H200E
or
PowerEdge R720

The R720 has 16 Drive vs MD1200 with 12 drive

Any advise please.
I will need to buy the R720 as I don't own one but treying to see what best long term.
I welcome any advise. I will be using it as iscsi for xen

 

[Jessep]

Everything would be simpler with the R720(xd), likely cost more. How valuable is your time/stress?

 

[Fred974]

@Randall_64 in your setup, do you have 1 sas card on your PowerEdge or 2?
Do you stack the Md1200 if you got more than one, will the system will see total of 72GB or will they only failover on each other.
@Jessep I look at the R720(xd) is is too expensive for me for now